Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-05-12
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
A hundred sharp feelings were twin
Ing and turning about in John Ear
ling's breast as he walked out into the
street from the sevenfold darkness that
had envcloped Ivyl Snaer For the
moment he seemed bewildered by the
Hood of thought and emotion that
crushed in upon him. The burden of
these revelations suddenly imposed
hpon him seemed 10 numb his very
senses. He was going blindly toward
Celeste; bl.ndly in that he did not con-
sider why, or note the forces that inn
PEELED him. The thrObbing heart of
his inclination was an impulse, that
fairly cried out in its agony, 10 tell her
that the black information that had
fallen upon him had not changed him,
save TO mako her dearer. She had
been sinncd against, he thought, struck
with darkness, drove through hate and
love and murder most piteOusly near
10 hun. A kind of anguish filed him
Tor her loves delicious fever with pity
burning IN IL He felt. but did not
heed, IN presence Of this larger feeling.
bis own transcendent wrongs. Ali
even nrwi without knowing il, she had
begun TO purge those wrongs away
througA love. to blot out the black
Foundation which her kinsman had
iaid IN blood with, TO him. n sweet and
binding atmosphere of light
Suddenly he stopped; God In Heay-
en! what was he thinking of? Was
lie mad? Why was he rushing.
as II gone daft with pity, to
load this heart-breaking thing
upon the shoulders of this blame
less creaturep Why not carry the hor-
ror himselfP even il need be caught for
ever so close to his breast and held so
hard, should she ever lay her silken
head trustingly there. o bittnr heav-
emily hourl she should not hear II
breathe! Nay, he would hold it from
him until, from want OF sorrow 10 feed
upon, II fell into ashes and forgetful-
ness! She should not bear IT, ''Oh!'
he cried there in tho lonely street
stretching his hands up toward the
stars, ''keep her from II. Godl She Is
good, she Is gentle, she Is blamclossi
Let not this burden fall upon her! Let
me bear itl let me bear itl'
John Earling felt clearer for that
TAAl'AF MnAiiA nttlntu llkt NMEnt
wrung out OF the very fabric of his spirit
iie turned back; why, il this secret
we're opened TO her might not its APP
palling contents carry her from himP
Would she ever wish tolook him in the
face again, knowing that her kinsman
had been murderer, aud had done
him and his this gall-like and mex
pressible wrongP Nay. how could he
then ever look into her oyes again,
knowing that his very presence must
bring her sorrow aud shameP 30.
God3' he cried again, keep It from
her! Let her innocent life remain un-
eloudedl Leave har spirit, which
Is clear and tranquil, still un-
troubled Let me bear Il, let
me bear itl'' lie did not think OF the
land which had been left to her which
IN truth was his, and which had been
80 bitterly torn away from him. He
only saw the pain this fell knowledge
would bring 10 her, and the seeming dan
ger to their love; love which, like life.
o 'erlnounted all known values lie
would go away, II need be. that this
dark fact might never reach her heart;
he would remain apart and suffer, il Il |
came TO her, lest bis very face should |
be pain aud shame 10 her. Ali he |
did not know the power Of perfect |
love; love that draws like turning |
worlds lie did not know wonian's |
soul, slender wOman's strength
In a moment he came to head.
quarters again. The windows were
open letting In the lukewarm air, aud
he paused irresolute. Inside he saw
members OF the night force
smoking aud walking about, and The
phiof, a phthisicky physician, aud The
picturesque private, entering from an
inner room. They went In behind n
railing 20 a desk, the private all the
while being very lavish with his con
ylomerate, and the chief took mp the
lead mans sachol aud opened Il upon
he desk. There we're some articles OF
adcd clothing, somo packages OF
medicine and minerals and a small
laggos In t. The private looked al
he dagger as II he very much feared
might jump up and stab him. In a
lido pocket they found some papers;
mong them, tied together with twists
{ gray hair, ~ II plucked from the
cad Ia widest fantasy, was the deed
ohm Earrings father. gave 10 lvyl
nnor n the long ago, aud viii BE-
Otnthinr l'|e property IL Celeste
ma nlfnI I....I IInlI Ia. alI..,... I..4 ~ |